Into the Tide (Cottonwood Cove #1)(95)

His fist came at me, just as I’d expected. A shot to the cheek, which nearly knocked me on my ass, but I didn’t go down. And I didn’t put my arms up because I’d let him take as many shots as he needed to take before we could move on. I felt Brax move closer, but my gaze stayed locked on Travis.

He didn’t come at me again; he just stared for a long while before he spoke. “So, you love her?”

“I do.”

“Does she know that?” he asked, reaching for his beer and popping off the lid before he took a long pull.

“Probably not. But I’m going there tomorrow to tell her.”

Travis set his bottle back down, and Brax groaned as if he were preparing for the worst.

“And what? Drag her back here?”

“You know what, Travis. That’s also none of your fucking business.” I squared my shoulders and stepped forward, crowding him. I was done with him acting like he knew what was best for her. “That decision is up to her. I have someone willing to take over all three restaurants here. So, if your sister wants to stay in Chicago, that’s where you’ll find me. And if she wants to come home, that’s also where you will find me. She’s a grown-ass woman with a mind of her own. And you’re a grown-ass man with a wife and kid on the way. Stay in your own fucking lane, brother.”

I prepared for the hit. He’d never been one who could handle hearing things that he didn’t like. But I wasn’t afraid of Travis. I respected how much he loved his sister, but his days of thinking he had a say over her life were over.

The hit never came. Instead, he reached for his beer bottle again and took another sip. “All right, then. It’s serious enough that you’re willing to walk away from everything here? Your family? Your business? Your parents’ businesses?”

“Without a fucking doubt. I don’t give a fuck where I am as long as I’m with Lila.” Now it was my turn to reach for my bottle and pop off the cap and take a long pull.

“Holy shit. Never thought I’d see the day.” Travis held up his bottle to clink it against mine.

“Wait,” Brax whispered. “Are we good? Can I get my bottle, too, or might this turn ugly again?”

Travis barked out a laugh. “Nah. Shay’s been all over my ass that I’m too overbearing with Lila and said she thought my sister wasn’t excited about leaving at all. But I’d been too blind to see past what I thought was right for her. And on that last night with Lila, I could tell she was upset about leaving. And clearly, I ruined your fucking lovefest, or whatever the fuck you two have going on, which I prefer not knowing. I’m sorry, man. You’re the best dude I know, and if you feel that strongly about her, I couldn’t ask for better for my sister.”

“Trying not to be offended over here,” Brax said, his voice higher than normal, and I finally let out a laugh.

I turned my attention back to Travis. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know that I’m not leaving as long as she wants me by her side.”

We spent the next hour with Brax and Travis telling me how to handle things once I landed in Chicago. But I didn’t need help with any of it. I was going right to her, face-to-face, and I’d tell her that I fucking loved her.

Something I should have said a long time ago.

I was exhausted by the time I got home. I’d gone over to see my parents and tell them my plans, and, of course, they were both completely supportive because that’s who they are.

They were fine with whatever I decided to do with the restaurants, and that took a lot of pressure off my shoulders.

I dropped down on my bed after taking a shower and saw a text from Lila, which had me sitting forward. It was two hours later in Chicago, so it was close to midnight there.

Snow



I miss you, Bear.





That was all it said—yet it said so much more. She was sad, just like I was. But I’d be there tomorrow, and I’d tell her everything. Face-to-face. I wasn’t going to pledge my love over a text or a phone call.

Miss you more.





I missed her in a way I’d never known possible. My body physically ached. She was the first thing I thought of when I woke up in the morning. The first thing I thought of when I stepped outside and saw the sun just coming up. The last thing I thought of before I went to sleep each night.

And I couldn’t get to her soon enough.





twenty-eight





Lila





I’d been here for a week, and I’d worked more hours than any human should ever have to work in a twenty-four day. And I didn’t see that lightening up any time soon.

The five people that they’d hired to be on my team were all new college grads, as well, and the atmosphere reminded me of race days.

Like everyone was willing to do whatever it took for the win.

The way I’d left things with Hugh had haunted me, and then we’d both just sort of gone quiet after I left because we didn’t really know what to do.

At least I didn’t.

And to say I was miserable would be a massive understatement.

My body physically ached. I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t eat.

So, I focused on work.

The corporate housing they’d given me was swanky and really nice, but it just felt cold and lonely to me. The furniture was velvet and way too fancy to curl up on. I slept in one of Hugh’s T-shirts that I’d snagged when I’d packed up that last night before I left, and it was the only thing that comforted me now.